Online information sessions: 29 August

This innovative online programme allows you to take advantage of Edinburgh’s remarkable range of expertise in the core philosophical areas of epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

Thanks to our state-of-the-art e-learning software and extensive digital resources, you can gain a world-class graduate qualification without the expense of relocating. You will also benefit from the flexible structure of the programme, which will allow you to balance your studies with work and family commitments and to develop your own specialised interest under the expert guidance of our distinguished academics.

This programme is designed to offer you a thorough grounding in contemporary philosophical research, particularly in those core areas of philosophy where Edinburgh has particular strengths: epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science.

The programme is affiliated with the Eidyn Research Centre and draws on its cutting-edge research in core areas of philosophy.

This is an online only programme that will be taught through a combination of short video lectures, web discussion boards, video conferencing and online exercises.

You will have regular access both to faculty and dedicated teaching assistants, including one-to-one interactions. You will also interact with other students on the programme as part of a dedicated virtual learning environment.

You will study compulsory courses in philosophical methodology and
the areas of epistemology, ethics, and philosophy of mind and cognitive science. Advanced option courses are available in these areas and in philosophy of science.

Students taking the full MSc will write a dissertation (8,000 to 10,000 words) on a research topic developed in consultation with their supervisor.

This programme is taught through a combination of short video lectures, web discussion boards, video conferencing and online exercises with regular interaction, one-to-one with teaching staff or with other students.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

PTE(A): total 67 (at least 61 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

Degrees taught and assessed in English must be no more than three years old at the beginning of your degree programme. Language tests must be no more than two years old at the beginning of your degree programme.

Applying

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application.
If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.
We may consider late applications if we have places available, but you should contact the relevant Admissions Office for advice first.

September Admissions

Applications are held for processing over two deadlines as follows

28th February 2018: if you wish to be considered for funding a complete application must be provided by this first deadline.

30th June 2018: all other pending applications will be considered and the system closed.

Applicants should receive confirmation of their outcome within 2 weeks of the relevant closing deadline.

References

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:

Personal statement

In addition to the supporting documents requested on the application form, you should include a personal statement detailing the background of your interest and why you are attracted to the programme.

Sample of work

Please also provide a sample of your written academic work in English from the last 2 years on a relevant topic of your choice to demonstrate your suitability to the MSc programme. If you don’t have an existing piece of academic work that would be suitable, you should provide a short essay, approximately 2000 words, analysing a piece of philosophy you have found interesting. This could be an analysis of a book chapter, or a philosophy paper.

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.